Functions from flaws: Devices that harness vacancies and deficiencies in oxide thin films

Abstract:

The Functional Materials and Microsystems Research Group harnesses discoveries at the convergence of engineering, materials science, physics, and chemistry to create new functional devices. The Group’s research spans the spectrum of fundamental research to device prototyping in the fields of nanoelectronics, wearable sensors, and optical and terahertz devices. This presentation will present a collection of results from each of these topics.

Drawing inspiration from the human brain, and the synaptic cleft, we create nanoscale electronic memories. Oxygen vacancies on ultra-thin oxide films mimic ionic transport in the synaptic cleft, enabling multi-state memories and time-dependent functionality. While creating complex memories for commercial applications, we also show bio-inspired performance with electronics with 10% of biological data.Hard wearables such as smart watches are now ubiquitous, but conformal electronics that function as skin-like sensing surfaces are limited by materials challenges. Overcoming the challenges of integrating high-temperature-processed oxide thin films and polymer materials creates new opportunities in highly functional wearable sensors. Stretchable, oxide-based devices are demonstrated using a patented transfer process, with a surface micro-tectonic phenomenon enabling oxide stretchability. Sensing patches capable of ultra-violet (UV) and toxic and pollutant gas detection are demonstrated.Scaling hard–soft integration to the nanoscale allows the realisation of tunable optical devices from gratings to high efficiency, dielectric antennas. At higher frequencies, in the un-tapped terahertz range, materials and their properties have been a major challenge.

We have utilised unconventional micro-fabrication techniques to demonstrate tunable metamaterials, high-efficiency absorbers, and dielectric mirrors.While covering diverse topics, the presentations highlights the potential of oxide materials, elastomers, micro-/nano-fabrication, and the combination of these, along with opportunities for collaboration.

Bio:

Dr. Sriram Short: Associate Professor Sharath Sriram jointly lead the Functional Materials and Microsystems Research Group at RMIT University. He is also the Founding Deputy Director and Scientific Coordinator of RMIT University's $30 million Micro Nano Research Facility. He specialises in the use of oxide thin films and nanofabrication for nanoelectronics and electromagnetic devices. He was a recipient of an ARC Post-Doctoral Fellowship (2011-2014) and examples of his recognition includes the 2012 NMI Prize for Measurement Excellence from the National Measurement Institute, Australia; a 2012 Victoria Fellowship; the 2016 Australian Museum 3M Eureka Prize for Emerging Leader in Science; and being named among Australia’s Most Innovative Engineers 2016 by Engineers Australia.

Hosted by Xavier Obradors, ICMAB Director and Research Professor at the Superconducting Materials and Large Scale Nanostructures Group (SUMAN)